Severe Vitamin B12 and D deficiency - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

32,623 members23,984 posts

Severe Vitamin B12 and D deficiency

ALPHAS profile image
5 Replies

Hi, last 1 month back I got severe neck stiffness for which i went to see a doctor. CBC checked, Lymphocytes sligthly high at 52 all other things fine. Further few days after my GP advised to check my B12, D and Thyroid. Thyroid was normal, but B12 was very low at 30 only and D as low as 4.5 with severe deficiency on both. I started to take shots of B12 of 1000 mcg for 10 days daily then after 1000mcg weekly. Ran on 50000IU on D3 for 10 days daily and then 50000IU for weekly. I had improved in a month time. But when i changed to routine to weekly from daily. I started to have back pain. It is a kind of hefty feeling, i also have day time laziness and evening time fatigue. I am a vegan since my birth, i am surprised how i cope up with. I am also taking calcium tablets too on my GP's advice. how much time does it need to improve or shall i take side by side oral tablets of lower mcg as well?

Your suggestions will be helpful please.

Written by
ALPHAS profile image
ALPHAS
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
5 Replies
clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support

Hi ALPHAS please get your FOLATE level checked as this needs to be healthy now that you have started the B12 injections. Having said that, you probably eat plenty of vegetables containg folate but best to be sure.

No two people are the same and the time taken for "recovery" can largely depend on how long you have had the deficiency. You don't state your age but as you've been "a vegan since my birth," you may well have been deficient for much of your life.

I wish you well

ALPHAS profile image
ALPHAS in reply toclivealive

Hi Clivealive, I am 32 now and i guess same as you that i might have been deficient from years but i didnt get any symptoms as my body had managed somehow. I will surely have my folate level checked as well. Do i need to check my Ferritin levl as well?

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support in reply toALPHAS

I'd be surprised if your iron level was not checked in your last blood test, but you could ask.

If you remain a vegan the B12 injections will probably be for life as it can only be sourced naturally from meats, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products although some cereal products are being fortified with it as too with folic acid.

I hope you start to feel improvement of your symptoms soon.

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator in reply toclivealive

There are vegan B12 supplements so if the problem isn't absorption but dietary then it can be corrected using tablets.

However, even being vegan doesn't rule out an absorption problem

Marz profile image
Marz

You say your Thyroid was normal - well that is an opinion and NOT a result. What did you actually have tested and what were the results and ranges ?? Low Thyroid goes hand in hand with Low B12 and Low everything ..... Your TSH needs to be around 2 - the FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the range. Anti-TPO and Anti-TG - were they tested ? If not then the TSH test is not going to tell you much - it is a Pituitary hormone.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D deficiency

Hello All, I have been diagnosed with deficiency of B12 (158) and Vitamin D (20) and Dr...
Riseup01 profile image

B12 and D deficiency levels up 2 months don't feel good

I had a very bad condition with nerve vibrations making me very afraid, no energy (completely...

Vitamin B12 deficiency - Recently diagnosed

Hi there. I was previously in the Thyroid UK group but one member suggested me this forum because...
Praga profile image

B12 Deficiency & Vitamin D Deficiency & Polymyalgia Rhumatica!

Hi group of fellow sufferers.... I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rhumatica, Vitamin D and B12...
Mariemcdo profile image

Vitamin D deficiency

Hi just want to ask if anyone had this before just had some tests at Docs and been found to be very...
amandapanda profile image

Moderation team

See all
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator
Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator
taka profile image
takaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.